SL vs BAN Live Score: The Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2023 has begun with Pakistan registering a thumping win over Bangladesh in the first clash of the stage to take the top spot. Now there comes the time for another exciting fixture as the Tigers are all set to lock horns with arch-rivals Sri lanka in their second fixture of the Super 4 stage. Their rivalry with Sri Lanka is always a nail-bitter to watch. And the team will try to improve their disheartening records in ODIs against Sri Lanka. On the other hand, Sri lanka are brimming with confidence as they are coming into this clash on the back of a blistering win over Afghanistan. They will be satisfied with their good records in the ODI against Bangladesh & will aim to continue that in today’s crucial fixture. Further home advantage is icing on the cake for the Lankans.
Sri Lanka Preview
Sri Lanka suffered a scare by Afghanistan in their last fixture & almost missed a spot in the Super Four stage. However, their bowlers held their nerves to win the fixture by three runs. They will try their best to continue their winning spree against Bangladesh in this fixture as well.
Openers Pathum Nissanka will be tasked to provide their team with an ideal start. He has scored 472 runs in his last 10 matches at an average of 59 and a strike rate of almost 90. He will get valuable support from Karunaratne who has scored 402 from his last 9 matches at an average of 50.25 and a strike rate of 88.54. In the middle order, Mendis will aim to blast all cylinders & amass crucial runs. He was breathing fire against Afghanistan scoring 92 runs off 84 balls. He has also amassed 388 runs in 13 ODIs with an average of 43.11. Asalanka will be tasked to score runs in the death overs & provide the team with an ideal ending.
In the bowling order, Pathirana has been Sri Lanka’s standout bowler. He has impressed everyone with his ability to bowl consistent yorkers & trouble batters with a change in pace. Pathirana has taken 8 wickets from his last 5 matches at an economy of 5.64. In the absence of Hasaranga, Theekshana will be responsible for leading Lanka’s pace attack. In their previous clash against Bangladesh, the off-spinner conceded 19 runs in 8 overs scalping two wickets. He will be their biggest bet in the powerplay overs.
Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:
Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana
Bangladesh Preview
Bangladesh had last faced Sri Lanka in the group stage where Sri Lanka emerged victorious. They will now hope to repeat the same heroics in their Super 4 fixture against Sri lanka. In their last fixture, Najmuk Hossain Shanto top-scored with a knock of 89 runs in 122 balls. He has been Lanka’s most successful batter in recent times but he will miss the remaining tournament due to an injury.
In Shanto’s absence, Shakib & Rahim will have to take the onus of scoring runs in the top order. They are the experienced batters of the team & will have to take the onus for the team in dire situations. In their clash against Pakistan, Mushfiqur’s 64 off 87 balls against Pakistan was the team’s highest score in a total of 193 all out. Shakib, meanwhile, also scored a useful 53 off 57 balls. Another batter whom the Tigers will be dependent on is Mehidy Hasan Miraz. He has been a revelation with the bat in recent times. Bangladesh used him as an opener in the group-stage match against Afghanistan, and the talented youngster delivered by scoring an amazing 112* from 119 balls. His performance can be detrimental to Sri Lanka’s fortunes.
In the bowling order, Taskin Ahmed (12 wickets in his last 6 matches at an economy of 3.89) will be their biggest bet against Sri Lanka. His pace and ability to extract bounce and movement off the pitch will trouble Sri Lanka’s batters. Hasan Mahmud is another over who can make a difference on this pitch. Bangla Spinners were not so effective in this series & they couldn’t do much in this fixture with pace-friendly conditions. We expect Shakib to produce an impressive spell.
Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI:
Mohammad Naim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das, Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud
SL vs. BAN Dream11 Prediction Picks:
Wicket-keepers: Mushfiqur Rahim, Kushal Mendis
Batters: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Towhid Hirdoy
All-rounders: Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Dhananjaya De Silva
Bowlers: Maheesh Theekshana, Taskin Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana
SL vs. BAN Dream11 Prediction Captain and Vice-Captain:
Choice 1: Mushfiqur Rahim (c), Dhananjaya De Silva (vc)
Choice 2: Maheesh Theekshana (c), Shakib al Hasan (vc)
Pitch & Weather Conditions
R Premadasa’s pitch favors batters during the early part of the innings. It orders good pace & bounce which makes it easy for the batters to make strokes & post huge scores on board. As the match progresses it will provide spinners some assistance making it difficult for batters to score runs freely. The weather in Colombo is expected to be overcast with a couple of thunderstorms making it difficult for the batters to score runs easily. Out of 151 ODIs played on this pitch, 76 are won by the team batting first. Thus the team winning the toss will look to bat first in this fixture.
SL vs BAN Winning Prediction
Sri lanka enjoys a good head-to-head against Bangladesh in ODIs, & the advantage of home conditions will provide them an edge. Despite of few crucial players missing in the lineup, the team looks more settled & lethal than Bangladesh. On the other hand, the Tigers will aim to see some really good performances from these batters who failed to deliver consistently in their previous fixtures. Their bowlers especially spinners can do a good job here. However, looking at the previous performances & team composition we think Sri Lanka are favorites to win this fixture.
Prediction: Sri Lanka to win this fixture.
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